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Introduction Over the past 100 years many new electrical appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, and air conditioners have been invented. Because of these inventions, we are using more energy than ever before. It is predicted that the fossil fuels we currently use for sources of energy will be used up within 50-200 years. When this happens, cities all over the world will need alternative sources of energy. Fortunately there are several renewable energy sources being developed and used all over the world.
It is the year 2080, and Electric City is in the midst of an energy crisis. Recent power outages have left outraged citizens without the use of computers, home entertainment centers, light, and cordless phones. Outages are blamed on the lack of fuel to run the Electiric City Power Plant, which generates all electricity for the city. Up until now, coal has been the city's only source of energy. It has always been cheap and easily accessible, but supplies are dwindling quickly.
Task
Part I Part II Part I
You are a member of a team of energy experts that have been hired by the Electric City Council. Your job is to propose a solution to Electric City's energy crisis. You will need to carefully research an alternative energy source and prepare a presentation for the City Council.
- an informative paper with the following parts
- opening statement - should include a definition of your energy source
- a table listing your system's advantages and disadvantages
- a description of the equipment needed
- a closing statement - summarize why the council should choose this source
- a model showing how this energy source is used to generate electricity and how the energy is transported
In order to create an effective presentation that will persuade the Electric City Council to use your energy source, you will need to truly become an energy expert. To become an expert you will need to:
* Use the Internet to find information on your energy source* Visit the school or public library to gather books and other resources necessary
* Talk to any energy experts you know (these might include neighbors or family members who use wind or solar power to reduce electric bills or employees of the electric company)
* Keep all the information you find in an energy notebook
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Process 1. Your three-person team will have the following members. Make sure you know who has what job before you continue. Write down your job title and description on the first page of your Energy Notebook.
Design Engineer Is able to explain exactly how electricity is created from the alternative energy source.
The mastermind behind constructing the model for the presentation
Makes sure the Sales Representative knows if this system is the best for Electric City.
Sales Representative Knows all the advantages and disadvantages of using the energy source.
Speaker for the presentation to persuade the City Council that the energy is the best alternative.
(Needs to be honest about the disadvantages so your team isn't sued for fraud.)
Accountant Looks at the equipment needed to create electricity from the energy source.
Determines how expensive using this system will be. (Is it worth the money?)
Efficiency Expert (use only if a four-person team is needed)
Hates to waste time.
Keeps the other team members on track.
2. Refresh your team's memory about energy sources by going to two of the following websites. Write a summary of what you read on the second page of your Energy Notebook. (These sites will take you into a new window. Use the back button to get back to this page.)
*Introduction #1 3. Choose one of the following sources of energy to research. Get approval from your teacher:
Geothermal Biomass Solar Wind Hydroelectric Nuclear 4. Click on an energy source above to begin your research.
5. Use the information you collected to prepare a presentation for the Electric City Council.
- an informative paper with the following parts
- opening statement - should include a definition of your energy source
- a table listing your system's advantages and disadvantages
- a description of the equipment needed
- a closing statement - summarize why the council should choose this source
- a model showing how this energy source is used to generate electricity and how the energy is transported
6. Present your chosen energy source to the Electric City Council. Keep your presentation under five minutes.
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Part II
Task You are now a member of the Electric City Council. As you hear each presentation, keep track of each energy source's advantages and disadvantages and whether you think Electric City should use it. You will use this information later to choose the best renewable energy source for Electric City.
Procedure 1. Take notes during the presentations on the worksheet your teacher gives you.
2. Decide which energy source you think is the cheapest. Which is the cleanest? Safest? Easiest to get?
3. Use your notes and how you rated each energy source to choose the overall "best" renewable energy for Electric City.
4. Use a computer to type and print a business letter to your fellow Council members persuading them to vote for the energy source you like best. Give at least three reasons why they should vote for your favorite energy, and back up your reasons with facts from your notes.
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Evaluation Click on the word "Evaluation" above to see how you will be graded, then answer these reflection questions on the last page of your Energy Notebook.
Reflection
- Did you feel this was a fun and useful way to learn? Explain.
- How is a webquest different from a textbook?
- If you were doing this activity again, would you do it differently? If so, how?
- What advice would you offer to future students doing this webquest?
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Conclusion Hey Energy Expert! You've learned a lot about renewable energy! What were some environmental reasons for using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels? How can we save energy so we don't use up our resources too fast? What can you do to teach others about saving energy?
1. Go to Edison Kids Hero Exhibit and research an energy innovator. Report to the class how that person changed our knowledge about energy.
2. You've already learned that renewable energy sources help keep our world clean. Go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Explorer's Club to learn more ways to help our environment.
This page is © copyrighted by Stephanie Condojani.